Posts Tagged ‘work’

For any of my co-workers that might check this site, I don’t want them to think that today’s comic is an autobiographical reflection of how I view the workplace. On the contrary, I really like my job – so my take-home stress is marginal. I just wanted to do a comic with Cami in it where she had a chance to play a more positive role. This, as opposed to the more scolding archetype I’ve cast her in of late. She’s more nurturing in real life and I wanted to focus on that.

Plus, it’s fun just to do a quiet character piece from time to time!

This week’s new movie releases look pretty thin. Did they really need to make a sequel to Agent Cody Banks?

Not sure what I’m going to do with myself this weekend. Cami will be out of town visiting The Mall of America ™ in Minnesota with her Mom and her sister. Jared is going out of town visting friends and my parents are skipping town for a brief visit to Kansas City. I wish I could say I had more people to hang out with, but that’s pretty much it. I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands this weekend.

I have a haircut and an oil change for my car lined up for Saturday, but after that, who knows.

I noticed that Schindler’s List came out on DVD yesterday. Is it shameful to admit I haven’t seen it? I was 13 when it came out in theaters, and no one would take me to see it. By the time it was out on video, everyone I knew who *had* seen it said it was too depressing to sit through again. A great movie, no doubt. But too painful to experience repeatedly.

It’s probably time for me to right the wrong of never seeing Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece. I should look into that for Saturday night…

As you can see, there is no comic today and there will likely be no comic until next Monday, August 7.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances at work, I ended up at the office for about 12 hours yesterday and I am likely to repeat the stunt again on Wednesday. Thus, I didn’t have enough time to put together a comic for you today and I won’t have enough time to work in advance on a comic for Friday.

I won’t get into the details about the work situation except to say that I have a *VERY* important project due next Monday and I can’t leave for Wizard World Chicago with it hanging over my head. This is just one of those situations where real-life takes priority over my hobby.

It’s bad timing. Especially because of Wizard World Chicago. I’m going to do the whole meet-and-greet from Friday until Sunday and people will check out the site to be greated with this message. Well, if you’re one of those people, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to check out our archives. Heck, start from the begining! I’m certain you’ll find something you like.

I feel bad because I think this is the first time where I’ve had to blow off the comic due to serious life stuff getting in the way. I typically pride myself on my adherence to the schedule. But you guys know how I feel about deadlines and I wouldn’t reprioritize things if it wasn’t of the utmost importance.

All I want to say is that this is not a trend. Right now work has got the better of me. If I’m going to keep the job that pays the bills, I have to show it the attention it deserves.

I appreciate everyone’s understanding. I promise that next Monday you will see a fresh comic from yours truly. And if it follows in the tradition of post-conventioncomicsof yore, it will likely be a little tale about how me and my fellowweb comiccronies went to see a movie togeher. Most likely Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

In the meantime, if you want to capitolize on my screw up and want to submit a guest strip to help me pad out the week, I’m gladly taking submissions. I realize it’s short notice, but if you want to whip something together real quick to help score a little extra publicity for your site while I’m off the reservation, e-mail me and we’ll work something out!

Don’t forget to find me at table #3143 A in Artist’s Alley at Wizard World Chicago this weekend! I will be selling copies of my first book "Theater Hopper: Year One" (which, incidentally, you can also buy here) as well as handing out invitations to a book release party I’m having Saturday night in my hotel room at the Doubletree. It’s going to be a blast.

Thanks again for everyone’s support, patience and understanding. I sincerely appreciate it!

As you can probably tell from today’s comic, I kind of have something against Rush Hour 3.

Okay, maybe not the movie. It’s unfair to pass judgment on something I haven’t seen. But I feel I can certainly pass judgment on the antics of it’s cast and director.

There’s something inherently wrong about Chris Tucker being paid $25 million (that’s a $20 million payday with back end percentages) in a deal that makes him more valuable than proven A-listers who have been in the business 20 years or more. Tell you what, Chris – do a movie OTHER than a Rush Hour film, and we’ll talk. Until then, you’re still firmly on the B-list in my mind.

I guess more power to you if you can fool the studio into thinking you’re worth it, but will audiences fall for it? The first Rush Hour was fine. The second one was a little better. But that was six years ago! Does anyone still care?

What I find most distasteful are the trailers with Roman Polanski as a French detective. If you’ve seen it, then you’ve seen the whole rubber glove/cavity search bit, then you get the gist of it. Apparently Polanski’s character is supposed to be “comically sadistic” and performs “terrible acts” on Tucker and Jackie Chan.

If you know anything about Polanski and his troubles with the law here in America in the late 1970’s, you know that he was indited for rape and fled to France where he has avoided extradition. I won’t go into the details of his charges, but you can read about it here.

My point is any movie lowbrow enough to cast Roman Polanski in this winking manner is a movie that is giving me less and less reasons to see it.

That’s a very specific thing to be outraged by and I recognize that the dichotomy will be lost on most people. To the general movie-going audience, it’ll just be another action-comedy romp. But to me, it looks like nothing but a fast grab for cash.

Switching gears, I’m busy getting ready for Wizard World Chicago this weekend. If you’re going to be in the area, I’ll be exhibiting on Artist’s Alley at table 3704 B. I’ll be hard to miss because I’ll be hanging out with my web comic buddies Zach Miller from Joe and Monkey, Joe Dunn and the rest of the Digital Pimp Online Crew and our mutual friend, Taki Soma. Rumor has it that Gordon McAlpin from Multiplex and Brandon J. Carr formerly of The Kenmore will be hanging around, although not exhibiting in an official capacity. I think Joe, Gordon and I are going to try and record an impromptu Triple Feature podcast to post to TalkShoe next Monday. So keep your eyes peeled for our little con report!

You’ll want to swing by my booth because I’ll be giving away free DVD’s to anyone who buys $50 or more in merchandise. So that’s a nice little incentive!

The promotion only lasts until Friday, so if you want to take advantage of the deal, act now!

As a side note, it’s been interesting to see the slight uptick in t-shirt sales this week. That’s smart thinking, savvy shoppers. Because I’m taking my entire shirt inventory to Chicago. So I can’t make any promises that I’ll have the design you want in the size you want once I get back. If you’ve had your eye on any shirts, now is the time to place your order. I’ll set them aside for you.

That about does it for me tonight. There will be a guest strip from my good friend Rex on Friday since I will be “out of the office,” as it were. Rex does a great comic called Make with The Funny that you should check out if you want a little preview of the action that’s to come.

Real quick, thanks to everyone that have sent messages of congratulations and support on the five year anniversary and also thanks to those of you who have been sending in suggestions on how we can fight spammers in the comments section! I would really hate to see the comments section go, so we’re going to do what we can to try and salvage it.

If you have any thoughts about how we can fend off the spammer horde, send me an e-mail and have a great Wednesday!